CHICO — Leaders of the Chico Certified Farmers Market said Tuesday they will come up with a plan for improvements to the parking lot they use Saturday mornings, including funding options.

The Chico Finance Committee agreed Tuesday to re-address the market's fees and request for amenities in December.

"We are definitely a year-round asset," said Rob Montgomery of the market's board of directors.

The farmers market was before the committee Tuesday for a review of their $164 annual fee for use of the parking lot between Second and Third streets and Flume and Wall streets. Market representatives told the committee they want permanent bathrooms, electricity, water and permanent signs. About 50 to 80 vendors sell food and other products at the market depending on the season.

Farmers market representatives, community members and city staff filled the seats Tuesday in a conference room of the Council Chambers building.

Richard Coon of the market board of directors said they do not have infrastructure to make improvements, but they are open to doing their fair share.

The market does plan to pay for permanent signs with the city's help to post, Montgomery said.

Councilman Scott Gruendl said he thinks the market would need some guarantees in order to pay for permanent improvements.

Vice Mayor Jim Walker said he does not want to change the fee but he thinks an improvement plan needs to be vetted and researched by the market board.

Walker said $20,000

could be raised in a year with an extra $5 per week fee on vendors and suggested the market raise the rent.

Coon said he does not own the space and there is no certainty for the market.

"Would you put $20,000 into someone else's parking lot?" Coon asked.

Walker responded, "I think I would."

Councilman Mark Sorensen said he thinks the fee is artificially low and he agrees a change is needed, such as a longer lease term for improvements.

He questioned if improvements could be made during the planned downtown couplet project, which city staff said was possible.

Montgomery said the market spends $6,000 a year on porta potties, yet he could get a prefabricated bathroom for $30,000.

Sorensen said though the market brings in a lot of foot traffic, it also affects parking.

Heather Keag of the Downtown Chico Business Association said they love the market, but any time parking is removed it's a big issue.

On another issue, the committee voted to change its purchasing procedure threshold for equipment, professional service agreements and contract services from $10,000 to $25,000 for a formal bid. The Chico City Council would be notified of the purchases and the bids would likely go on the web.

The city currently has to put out formal bids for purchases. The code requires a notification in a newspaper, for which the Enterprise-Record charges between $220 and $480 per ad.

Gruendl asked if there is any other place to post a bid.

Sorensen suggested posting the notification online.